Harold Bradford (1925-2016) was the pioneer of several Chattanooga bands. Born in Hollywood, Alabama to Ned and Hazel Bradford in 1925, Harold worked as an IBEW #175 electrician until retirement, and was a devoted member of Midway Baptist Church. Bradford was part of the Lookout Valley Mason Lodge #673 for more than 50 years, and created ‘Harold Bradford & His Country Style Playboys‘ in the 60’s, and went on to form the Lookout Mountain Boys at some unconfirmed time in the 70’s. The Lookout Mountain Boys were well-known yet rarely documented in the Chattanooga area, active from the mid-70’s until the 2000’s. Their last album documented is this recording, from 1998.
Harold & His Country Style Playboys were members on the WNOX program Tennessee Barn Dance in the 60’s, 8mm footage from that era is available online. Not much exists of Harold’s Lookout Mountain Boys era, but they shared stages with Lester Flatt, Jim and Jesse, and The Osborne Brothers. The boys were comprised of Harold Bradford on violin, Dale Tilley plucking the banjo, Bob Rodgers playing the bass, Johnny Long on guitar, & Bobby Davis playing his mandolin.
Manufactured by Crystal INC. of Chattanooga. This album is available below and can be found ad-free on YouTube. Further clippings from the paper available here & here in our archive. Liner notes from another Lookout Mountain Boys release provides further context. Enjoy!!
